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Monday, March 23, 2009

So here they are ladies and gentlemen. Some of the designs may look familiar (I had to modify some old patterns, because I didn't have a lot of time to make these before the fashion show.)

When I set out to make these, I didn't want to spend a lot of money, so I went to the swap meet in National City because most fabric there is $1-$2 a yard. I got lucky and found the polka dot chiffon, and all the satin fabric there. I did have to go to a fabric store for the lace, though.

I think these are some of the best things I have made so far. It makes me want to design only really pouffy dresses. (Like maybe a white dress with big red polka dots, and a huge, fluffy red petticoat, or something blue with a matching petticoat, or yellow stripes with a yellow petticoat and cherry red shoes . . . oh the possibilities.)

Anyway, all of these photos were taken, cropped, and shopped by my man, at the warehouse that our studio space is in. These are just a few that I really liked, and thought best represented the dresses. If you want to see all (about 50) of them Mikey has put them on his flickr page.

Enjoy.On the one above, you can kind of see this dark splotch above my left wrist. That was where I burned myself with some piping hot water (ouch!), and the reason these took so long to get done.

This photo (above) is one of my most favorites.

If you look at this one (above) but only focus on the bow and up, it starts to look like the front of my body without a head, but with neck hole and everything. It's a little creepy, which is the main reason I chose to put this one up.So that is it on here. You guys should really see the rest of them, because there are a lot more that are just as good, or better.

I think all these dresses just make it in the practical, wearable category of clothing. They are not "wearable art" which is almost unwearable anyplace but a runway, but they are not quite every day items. I think they can work for just the right occasion, and I will certainly wear them on any such occasion that arises.

And my teacher said that I could put them in the school's fashion show, that is coming up on May 15. Yeah!

I keep thinking that the satin sashed one is my favorite, but then I look at the other two and change my mind. I know that the construction of the lace one is the best (and you can only tell by looking on the inside), so that puts it higher on the list for me, but then the polka dot one is just so cute. God, I don't know. Which is your favorite -dress? -photo? -pose?

Friday, March 13, 2009

A few of my previous posts have been promising more pictures of those pouffy dresses I made, and some designs for etsy, but well I got off to a rocky start.

I was hoping to get some photos last Friday or Saturday, but the Monday previous, I burned my arm pretty badly. And by photo shoot Friday, it was really gross, and blistery, and juicy, and now it is really crusty, and bumpy, and brown. So I think I will hold off for one more weekend and spare all of you. I think by next weekend it will be a pink scar with minor flaking, and will hopefully be somewhat presentable.

As for etsy, well. . . A while ago I went to school to copy all of the slopers that they had. I copied sizes 6-20, and with each size, the difference between the bust and waist measurements is 10 inches. That, to me, seemed like a lot. I myself have only about 7 inches difference between the two, as well as a few of my coworkers whom I've measured, and a lady that I am currently making a dress for. So I decided to throw those slopers out (well I just haven't copied them to manilla paper yet), and went on a quest to find some new ones. I found a pattern, which has a bodice and a skirt both with one dart at the waist and one bust dart on the bodice, which is exactly the type of sloper I need to start with. So I bought three of these patterns, each containing three different sizes, with measurements that I think are more suited to the current female body than the ones at school, which I believe to be a little out dated.

I am curious if I have made the right move, though. I was wondering if all you ladies could measure your bust and waist (you can throw your hips in too, if you want) and post them in the comments of this post. That way I can do a little sample to see which slopers I should actually use. I might even find that I need both. I'll see with your help. Thanks.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

A few weeks ago, my teacher asked me if I would take part in a little fashion show (which happened on Wednesday). The show was for a women's group that usually donates to my school's fashion show at the end of the year. I, of course, said yes. She said I could show past school projects or anything else that I had made. But why show old stuff? I think that with any opportunity, you should always be producing something new, because it will usually be better than your last, and new work will keep you moving forward to the next project and the next. So I made three new dresses. I did use one old thing. This 10 layered petticoat. Remember it?

I changed all that silver ribbon to white, and made three black and white dresses to go with it. Here is a little peek of one. All these dresses deserve cute poses, in a cool place, not my apartment. I haven't taken those yet, so this is all you get for now. Be expecting photos soon.

About Me

Sugardale is a nickname that my Grandpa gave me. He was Herbert "Dale" Roland. I was named after him; my middle name is Dale. So I was his Sugardale. Cute huh? When I was trying to think of a name for my clothing, Sugardale was just it. It has a vintage sound to it, and all of my designs are vintage inspired, it's cute, and it's probably the best nickname I've ever had. Thanks Grandpa!